By Jim Hayes
A survey by the Australian National University found that a large majority of Australians continue to back constitutional recognition of Australia’s first peoples, and that they also support progress in truth telling and in a process towards treaty. Continue reading Australia supports First Nations rights says ANU Survey
Yesterday (26 January), big Invasion Day marches and other events were held across Australia. They were well organised and maintained needed Covid-19 social distancing and mask wearing. Continue reading Australians turn out in large numbers for Invasion Day
As the controversy over black deaths in custody in Australia gathers momentum, the big Black Lives Matter marches around the nation have been added to, with an alliance representing more than 1000 legal services, representing First Nations and non-indigenous Australia, welfare, disability organisations and others, which has come up with a five Point Plan to bring about major change. Continue reading Groups put forward plan to reduce indigenous imprisonment and end deaths in custody
Suicide among young Frist Nation people in West Australia’s Kimberly is an epidemic, made all the worse by ongoing government neglect. Recommendations from a coronial inquiry have not been implemented yet. This is a crisis deeply rooted in the history of marginalisation, and sense of hopelessness faced by the dispossessed. Claire Moodie and Erin Parke (ABC Kimberley 29 February 2020) write about how this affects the families and communities of those who have died. Everyone should read this. Here is a crisis crying out for something to be done about it. Continue reading Suicides continue in the Kimberley with communities waiting for the Government to act
by Adam Carlton
The unfortunate reality is that the mistreatment of Australia’s First Nations continues is case after case. One would be too many. That a parade incidents keep on occurring, is a national disgrace. Continue reading Boy kept naked in a police cell showcases the wrong taking place
By Ugly
The Djab Wurrung people around the Halls Gap (Budja Budja) area near Ararat in Victoria, have been defending their sacred trees for almost a year now. They have been trying to stop VicRoads from destroying them, while building an extension to the Western Highway. Continue reading Djab Wurrung tree defenders and supporters call for justice for D T Zelanach
There’s no two ways about it. The appointment of Tony Abbott, as the Special Envoy on Indigenous Affairs, assisting to ministers for Indigenous affairs and Health, is an offensive insult to the First Australians, and fits in with Morrison’s appeasement of the radicals within the Liberal Party. It sends out a clear signal that the Morrison government policy aims to return to the era of paternalism and denial of basic rights. Continue reading Appointment of Tony Abbott is an insult to the First Nations
Joining Victoria’s historic initiative towards putting in place a treaty with the First Nations of the state, the Northern Territory has signed a memorandum of understanding towards a similar result. Continue reading Australia is moving towards a treaty with the First Nations
The Victorian government’s proposed treaty with th state’s original inhabitants, marks an important move in the right direction. But it is flawed and this must be corrected. Continue reading Victoria must fix flaws in treaty process
The Uluru Convention of 250 leaders of Australia’s First Nations has ended up rejecting the focus on constitutional recognition, in favour of working to secure a sovereign treaty.
A second proposal taken up, concerning Indigenous voice in parliament was more controversial. Some delegates were concerned that this might compromise sovereignty.
Despite this, the unity was remarkable and it sends a strong message to the rest of Australia.
Delegates and experts had come together after six months of dialogue around Australia and the result marks a significant departure from symbolism that has been put forward by non-Indigenous politicians and a turn towards securing a treaty that will bring about tangible results.
The 2010 bipartisan statement from Canberra that led to towards constitutional recognition has been soundly rejected.
Professor Megan Davis won support, after delivering a powerful statement from the group asserting that sovereignty had never been ceded or extinguished.
“All of the dialogues, including the one-day information session in Canberra, rejected totally outright having some sort of acknowledgment in the constitution,” Davis said. “That was totally rejected by all of the meetings and everybody we’ve spoken to over this six-month period.”
A statement issued at the end of the Convention said that the high rates of incarceration, youth detention and child removal showed the need for a significant practical change, not a symbolic reform. This document is referred to as the statement from the heart of the nation.
“We seek constitutional reforms to empower our people and take a rightful place in our own country. When we have power over our destiny our children will flourish. They will walk in two worlds and their culture will be a gift to their country,” it says.
The statement adds that a makarrata, a Yolgnu word for treaty, was “the culmination of our agenda” hitting the point home with the words, “In 1967 we were counted,” and: “In 2017 we seek to be heard.”
The essence of the argument is that those who were here before white settlement are sovereign peoples and this is what must be acknowledged. Constitutional recognition on its own denies sovereignty and can therefore not be accepted.
“This sovereignty is a spiritual notion … It has never been ceded or extinguished, and co-exists with the sovereignty of the crown,” the statement reads. “With substantive constitutional change and structural reform, we believe this ancient sovereignty can shine through as a fuller expression of Australia’s nationhood.”
The proposed treaty commission would be given the dual task of working towards a treaty and engaging in a public truth-telling process.
Canberra has yet to respond. The unity of purpose at Uluru cannot be ignored. The question now is whether the politicians are prepared to listen. Even if they do not, a game changer has taken place that has shifted the focus of the debate on reconciliation across all parts of the Australian population.
Be the first to comment on “Uluru Indigenous Convention goes for a treaty”